10 Best Recliners for Your Everyday Comfort and Relaxation

LAST UPDATED: December 6, 2018

41Models Considered

52Hours of Research

6Experts Interviewed

139Reviews Analyzed

No living room, finished basement, or man cave is complete without a good recliner. These comfortable chairs allow you to sit back and relax in a way that a standard chair can’t match. Of course, you need to make sure that you get the best recliner for your needs, whether you are looking for a stylish model for a designer home or just a functional chair to relieve your back and shoulder pressure points.

Finding the best recliner chair can be quite tricky, however. While we were conducting our research to find the best quality recliners, we looked at several different factors. This includes the overall dimensions, as well as how large the back and seat are. We also looked at the cover materials and weight. Finally, we considered whether they were power chairs or manual models.

Top 10 Recliners Review 2019

As you can imagine, this was not a fast process. We have spent numerous hours looking through hundreds of user reviews to find the best quality recliners on the market today. By conducting this research, we were able to put together a comprehensive list to help you find the best recliner possible. If you already have an idea of what you are looking for in a recliner, then you can go right to our in-depth reviews. If not, make sure you take the time to read our complete buying guide, as this will give you everything you need to know to find the perfect chair for your needs.

5.
Baby Relax Mikayla Swivel Gliding Recliner (Best Recliner for a Nursery)
An excellent choice if you have a baby in your house: this recliner can be put into the nursery and help you rock your little one thanks to the gliding mechanism installed

6.
Giantex Recliner Power Lift Chair (Best Power Lift Recliner)
A perfect option for the elderly and people with limited mobility: this chair can not only recline but also lift you up to get out of the chair with ease

7.
Best Selling Davis Fabric Recliner (Best Small Recliner)
A very nice-looking piece of furniture for those seeking for a bit of comfort in a small-sized room: it can recline up to 35 degrees and features a footrest for complete relaxation

10.
Esright Massage Recliner Chair (Best Massage Recliner)
This model combines a reclining mechanism and five massage control modes with two intensity levels to relieve your shoulder and back pressure points with ease

One of the most significant problems that people have when purchasing a recliner is how much space they take up. The thinking goes that to get the best features, you need to spend a lot of money and get a huge chair. This line of thinking is completely turned on its head with this model, which just might be the best recliner on the market today. Not only is it lightweight and easy to assemble, but it has built-in massage features that are great for removing any tension you might be feeling in your back, neck, and legs.

This chair is covered with high-quality PU leather. While this synthetic material has the same look and durability of real leather, it is much cheaper. It is also effortless to clean, though it does have a strong smell that will take some time to dissipate. It also has side pouches that you can use to store anything, such as your smartphone, the remote for this chair, or just a couple of your favorite books and magazines.

The remote control that comes with the chair is exceedingly simple to use. Even though the remote performs some different functions, there is little to no chance that you will have any difficulty using it. It is also wireless, which means you won’t need to deal with any bothersome cords to get it to work.

Even though this chair is relatively small, it is still very comfortable. The padding on the armrests and back of the chair are soft and thick. It is also very easy to assemble, making it an excellent chair for pretty much anyone.

Perhaps the biggest benefit for using a recliner is that they are better than a regular chair or sofa at relieving back pain. Not all of them, however, have as much extra lumbar support as this model. It provides tons of support exactly where you need it to help relieve any type of back pain that you might be experiencing after a long working day.

As you would expect from such a heavy chair, it has a high weight capacity, which makes it a great choice for pretty much any size individual, weight wise. It does not, unfortunately, have a very high back, making it less comfortable for people over six and a half feet tall. The high weight capacity also makes it a very durable choice. If you choose this model, you can rest assured that it will not break down quickly at all.

One thing that you will have to keep in mind with this chair is that it is not very easy to recline. You need to push back with your arms and legs to adjust it, which might be difficult for someone with less mobility.

It also doesn’t recline as much as some other chairs do. This is both an advantage and disadvantage. This limited reclining angle helps fit this chair into small spaces since it doesn’t need a lot of room to work correctly. Of course, since it doesn’t recline all the way, you might not be able to sleep in this chair all that comfortably.

Not all recliners are made to be designer showpieces. In fact, the reason that a lot of them fit so well in basements or man caves is that they don’t belong to more stylish furniture. That is not the case with this recliner. It is designed to be used as a centerpiece in a home with a modern or retro feel. This is mostly because of its plain and simple appearance that doesn’t resemble a recliner, but looks more like a lounge chair.

While its compact size might not work out for taller individuals, it is perfect for fitting into tight spaces. As such, this chair is great for roomy homes or cramped apartments that are looking for a fashionable and easy-to-use recliner. It is also effortless to coordinate with any type of décor since you can choose from such a wide variety of colors.

The upholstery on this chair is made out of polyester, which is well-known as one of the easiest to clean materials on the market. The padding is also nice and thick, which provides plenty of support, though this chair isn’t built to handle a lot of weight.

Finally, perhaps the best feature that makes this such an attractive chair is how simple it is to put together. After you have the pieces removed from the box, there are only three steps to follow before you chair is put together. Simply slide the top and bottom together, install the feet, and the chair will be ready to go.

Lots of recliners are designed to be space savers. While this helps them fit into smaller living areas, it leaves taller folks wishing that they would be more supportive. If you are a tall person hoping to relax in a recliner, then you’ve got to check out this model from Lane Home Furnishings. Not only can you lay it all the way back, but it is enormous! When reclined, this chair is about as long as a king-sized mattress.

As you would expect from such a large chair, this model has a very high weight limit. It is built to handle up to 500 pounds. Not only will this provide lots of comfort for a larger individual, but it will also allow the chair to last for a good long time, especially if you are not anywhere near the weight limit. Besides, this chair is also covered by a lifetime warranty, so even if it does suffer a breakdown, you will be able to get the parts replaced with no extra cost.

Even though this is a huge model, it is still pretty easy to recline, although the handle is a little short. If it is too short for you to operate, you can get an extended handle, which will add a bit to the purchase price.

The only real issue with this chair is that it can be somewhat tricky to put the footrest down. You really need to make sure you push it quite hard to get it back into place, which might make this a difficult to use chair for someone with limited mobility.

If you are in the market for a space-saving chair to put into your baby’s nursery, then you might want to give this chair a try. It features a cool and classic grey design, complete with white trim that will make it fit into pretty much any color scheme. It is also very simple to recline.

Unlike other models that need to be pushed back, this chair has a simple and easy-to-use handle. It is designed to be controlled by only one hand, making it ideal for use by someone with limited mobility, or with their hands full holding a baby.

This chair can also be swiveled around, which makes it much easier to reach everything you need while you are taking care of your little one. It also rocks both when it is reclined and when it’s not. This rocking makes it much easier to relax and keep your infant sleeping.

This swivel recliner is designed to be quite comfortable and has tons of extra padding so that you can sit in it for a good long time without any discomfort.

This softness, unfortunately, hurts its durability. Thankfully, if you use it to rock your child, it shouldn’t suffer as much damage as it might if it were in your living room. The light-colored fabric is also somewhat difficult to keep clean, so make sure you have it covered when you are feeding your baby so that it doesn’t get any stains that you won’t be able to get rid of.

Recliners are often the chair of choice for people with back, shoulder and lumbar pain, or limited mobility. A reclined position is precisely what the doctor ordered when it comes to painful joints and bad circulation. The problem with most chairs is that it can be challenging to recline, put the footrest down, and stand up from them. This chair from Giantex fixes all of these issues.

First of all, since it is a power chair, there is absolutely no problem reclining it, even if you want to lay all the way back. By using the simple two-button remote, you can both recline the chair and put down the footrest, making this an excellent option for someone lacking the necessary muscle strength to use a manual chair.

But that isn’t the end of the benefits that this chair can offer you.

Perhaps the greatest feature for this chair is the fact that it can lift itself off of the ground to assist the sitter to get up into a standing position. Plain and simple, if you or a loved one has a mobility issue, this chair is a game changer. It will help you up and out of your seat easily, without any extra strain on your body.

Of course, this power recline and lift system aren’t without its issues. For one, it is extremely slow. Secondly, you need to have the chair near a power source of some kind. Finally, the weight capacity is not all that high for the lift function. While the capacity for the chair itself is 330 pounds, the lift function can only work with an individual that weighs a maximum of 220 pounds.

If you are looking for a small-sized recliner, then this just might be the best option for you. It is small and compact, making it ideal for use in an apartment. It is also highly fashionable. It doesn’t really look like a recliner, making it easy to match with pretty much any modern or retro style décor. Also, as you would expect with a smaller chair, this is a relatively lightweight model, which makes it easier to move around until you find the right spot for it in your home.

Something else that helps make this an excellent choice for a smaller space is that it doesn’t recline all that much. Its maximum reclining angle is about 35 degrees, which is nowhere near the almost horizontal recline of other larger recliners. Since it doesn’t sit all that far back when you put up the footrest, it can be put almost right up against a wall, which will help to save a ton of space in your room.

The upholstery on this chair is very easy to clean. Even if you accidentally spill something on it, you shouldn’t have too much trouble scrubbing it out.

Something else that doesn’t come as too much of a surprise, but should still be considered, is the fact that this chair isn’t a great option for taller people. When it is fully reclined, it doesn’t have a ton of neck support for someone over six feet tall.

It is an unfortunate rule of retail that lots of high-quality recliners are costly. It used to be the rule that if you wanted a great chair, you had to pay a hefty price. That is, thankfully, not the case with this model. It is made out of extremely comfortable PU leather, which is not only very soft but also completely waterproof. While this covering is somewhat challenging to keep clean in comparison to real leather, it is still exceptionally durable.

This chair is a bit undersized, with only a 250-pound weight limit, making it better for smaller individuals. It would also work well in smaller spaces, as long as you still have plenty of room behind it.

The reason that you need so much room behind this model is that it can recline all the way up to 160 degrees, which is almost completely horizontal. If you are looking for a comfy chair to relax in, and occasionally, sleep in, then this is a great option.

One of the reasons that this is such an exceptionally durable chair is because it is so simply designed. There are only a few simple steps that you need to follow to assemble it when you first get your purchase home. From there, it is easy to move around thanks to its lightweight until you find the right spot in your home.

It must be noted, however, that even though you can recline this chair until it is almost completely flat, you can only select from three different recline positions, which might make it difficult to find a position that works for you.

Here is another great option for a power chair if you’re looking for both comfort and appealing design. It is surprisingly lightweight for a power recliner chair, which makes it an excellent option for someone who likes to rearrange their furniture often.

As is the case with most lightweight chairs, this model has a relatively low weight capacity of 250 pounds. It is, however, nice and big, making it ideal for practically all individuals.

The power recline is relatively slow, but it worth the time, especially since you can recline it to whatever position you desire. All of these different position choices make this an excellent option for a big household with lots of different people each with their own comfort needs or for one person who likes to try various positions.

If you do choose this chair, make sure that you have a lot of time set aside to put it together. There are some steps that need to be followed to put it together correctly. This is mostly because you need to make sure that the power supply is correctly installed for the USB charging port.

The built-in USB port is a nice feature, by the way. This feature makes it quick and easy to charge your smartphone or tablet from the comfort of your chair, which will help keep you connected while you sit back and relax.

Lots of recliner chairs have massage features, but this model perfects them. It will allow you to use a variety of different intensities all over your body, which will relieve any pain and tension from your hard day. These massage features are also a great way to help improve any circulation issues that you might be dealing with in your legs.

Something else that this chair can offer you is a heating system. By utilizing it, you will be able to relieve pain in your muscles. This heat can also be a big aid when it comes to relaxation, and it could also help someone who has a tough time falling asleep to get comfortable enough to do so.

Some other features that are a big help when it comes to comfort are the cup holders and storage pouches on the side of the chair. These make it that much easier to stay in the chair for long periods of relaxation since you can load it up with everything you will need to rest comfortably. It also swivels so that you can easily reach anything that you might have forgotten to grab before you sit down.

It must be said, however, that, while this chair has a lot of nice features, it is not always easy to use as a recliner. It needs some effort to recline, and won’t stay in any position without being adjusted regularly. It is also tough to put the footrest down, so it might not be a good option for someone with limited mobility.

PROS:

Swivels

Heat and massage features

Cup holders and storage pouches

Easy to assemble

Comfortable

CONS:

Difficult to put down footrest

Doesn’t stay in position when reclined

Hard to recline

Buying Guide

In this section, we will go through everything that you need to know to find the best recliner for your home.

What benefits can a recliner bring to your health and mood?

Recliner chairs are one of the most comfortable pieces of furniture you can own. Not only will they help tie your room together, but they can offer tons of health benefits as well. This is especially true if you get a chair that can recline fully. By laying in this position, you will be able to relieve muscle tension and soreness, as well as any neck and back pain you might be experiencing. By putting your feet up, your circulation will improve, which is a huge benefit for older folks.

These chairs are a great way to improve your mood. When you feel physically better, you will feel better mentally. Plus, there is nothing like putting your feet up after a long day and relaxing in a comfortable chair. Even if you fall asleep in these chairs, you won’t have any issue, since their reclined posture helps to relax and decompress your spine.

Features to consider while choosing the recliner

As you can imagine, there are lots of different features that you need to take into account when you are looking for the best recliner. In this section, we will cover everything you need to know to find the best chair for your home.

Weight capacity

The first thing that you will want to take into consideration is the weight capacity. By taking the weight into account, you will be able to determine how long your chair is going to last. Obviously, the larger the person that is going to be using the chair, the higher the capacity you need. If you get one that doesn’t have the right capacity limit, your chair might break down quickly through regular use.

Of course, the weight capacity will also help inform how long the chair will last regardless of how large of a person is going to be using it.

The higher the capacity, the more durable the chair is going to be. That is because a chair with a higher capacity is usually made out of higher quality materials, which allows them to last much longer.

Dimensions

The dimensions of the chair you choose will depend on the size of the space that you have in your home. You need to be sure to measure your space very carefully. Otherwise, you might get your chair home and find that it won’t fit in the room that you had in mind.

When measuring, you need to be sure that you not only measure for the size of the chair when it is upright but also when it is reclined. Some chairs will stick out an awful lot when they are reclined, since they lay down completely, like the BestMassage Wingback Recliner Chair, which can recline up to 160 degrees. Others, such as the Baby Relax Mikayla Swivel Gliding Recliner, however, don’t require too much space behind them, which makes them great for use against a wall. If you have a limited amount of space, you might want to look for a recliner of this type. Sometimes manufacturers call these models wall hugger recliners.

Weight

The weight of the chair is a big factor that you need to take into consideration for a variety of reasons. The first reason is that the heavier the chair, the more difficult it will be to get into position if you want to take it upstairs or downstairs. If you pick a heavy chair, be sure that you have someone to help you get it into your home. You might also have to pay for the chair to be delivered if you can’t get help from friends or family.

Secondly, if you pick a heavy chair, you will have to be careful where you put it in your home. Some of the chairs might be too heavy for certain rooms or houses, so be sure that your home will be able to support the weight of the chair you intend to use. Of course, a lighter chair, like the Best Choice Products PU Leather Massage Recliner, can be put pretty much anywhere, and shouldn’t be too difficult to get into place.

Materials used

There are several different materials that you can get to cover your recliner. These include real leather, polyurethane leather, and microfiber. Each of these materials will give you a different feel, level of comfort, and durability. Be sure to choose your material carefully, since the wrong pick could ruin what is otherwise a wonderful recliner.

Real leather is quite possibly the most durable option that you can get for your chair. It is a natural material that takes a long time to produce, so it is more expensive than other materials you can select for your chair. It should, however, last the longest, which might make it a wise investment for someone who wants their chair to last as long as possible.

Unlike real leather, which is made out of natural materials, PU leather is humanmade. It is produced using polyurethane, which is cheaper than genuine This is an excellent material to choose if you are looking to save some money but still want that leather feel. This material isn’t quite as durable as real leather, but it should last longer than microfiber chairs.

Microfiber is usually going to be used on cheaper chairs. Don’t let that scare you away, however, as there is nothing inherently wrong with this material. It is incredibly comfortable, mostly due to its softness. Microfiber is also somewhat cool, making it a great choice if you don’t have any air conditioning in your home. Of course, since it is a bit cheaper, it won’t last as long as leather. It will also show stains much faster in comparison to either leather types as well.

Reclining mechanism

Another big factor that you need to take into consideration when searching for a recliner chair is the type of reclining mechanism it will use. There are two basic types of recliners that you can choose from, which are manual or power models.

Manual recliners are usually the most popular type of reclining chair and for a good reason. They are relatively cheap and straightforward to operate. All you need to do is pull a switch or a lever, and the chair will recline. Some models will allow you to lay back as well, which you will need to do on your own. This makes this type of chair perfect for people who have good mobility.

Power recliner chairs are an excellent choice for folks with limited mobility. These electrically powered chairs don’t require any physical power to recline, making them an excellent choice for people with physical limitations or the elderly. Some models, such as the Giantex Recliner Power Lift Chair, will also help you to get up and out of your seat, which can be almost impossible for some people with a manual recliner.

Warranty

As you would expect, you need to be certain to get a good warranty on your new chair. That way, you will be covered if anything unfortunate happens to your recliner through normal use. A good warranty will cover the materials as well as the reclining mechanism.

Just be careful when you are looking for a good guarantee. Lots of companies will say that they offer a long warranty, but it won’t cover every part of the chair. Be sure to read the fine print carefully. Otherwise, you might think that you are covered if something happens to your chair, only to find out that the warranty won’t help you at all.

Extra features

There are several different additional features that you might want to have included with your chair. Some of them will only apply to power chairs, while others can be found in both manual and power models.

Heating – Lots of power chairs can come with a heating option. This feature is a great feature for anyone who suffers from back pain, as it can help relieve pressure on your neck or spine.

Massage – Another great option that you can get with a power chair is a massage feature. Much like a heated seat, this massaging motion will help relieve any tension you have in your back or neck.

Swiveling – Swivel mechanism is great if you intend to use your chair for more than just relaxation. This swiveling motion will make it possible to turn your chair, which is helpful if you want to use your chair at a table one moment and then watch TV later on.

Rocking – Rocking recliners are especially helpful if you have a little one that you have to put to sleep. This combination of rocking and reclining helps make these chairs comfortable for both babies and parents alike.

Full Recline – One of the best things about recliners is that they don’t take up as much room as a sofa, while still being comfortable enough to sleep on. Full recline chairs, like the Lane Home Furnishings Stallion 1509-95 1407 Recliner, are really good for laying back and taking a snooze without causing you any back pain.

FAQ

Generally speaking, no, recliner chairs are not all that difficult to assemble. Most of them have very clear instructions which detail exactly how to put them together. Usually, they will only require a few simple steps and basic tools to assemble them correctly.

Of course, the assembly process gets a bit more complicated if you purchase a chair that has additional features, such as heating and massage elements. In this case, you might have to take some additional time to make sure these pieces are in proper working order and in the right layout so that they can be used effectively.

The amount of space between the wall and the chair back will all depend on the chair that you select. If you want to get one that lays down completely, you are going to need a lot more space than you would for a chair whose top only slightly reclines.

If you are worried about saving space, then you should go for a chair that doesn’t recline too much up top. That way, you won’t need to have it far away from the wall. The Best Selling Davis Fabric Recliner would be a good option for a smaller apartment since it doesn’t recline all that much up top.

Some manual models are easier to recline than others. It all depends on the reclining mechanism. Switch style manual recliners are probably going to be the easiest for an older person since they don’t require as much force to recline as other manual options. The Baby Relax Mikayla Swivel Gliding Recliner, for instance, is very easy to recline.

Of course, even if opening a manual recliner is made easier, putting the leg rest down can be quite tough. To avoid this entirely, you could go for a power chair, such as the Giantex Recliner Power Lift Chair, so that all of the hard work is done for you.

Our Verdict

Even though there are a ton of quality chairs out there, the best recliner has got to be the Best Choice Products PU Leather Massage Recliner. It is lightweight, which makes it easy to move around. It is simple to recline and features amazingly well-designed massage features that will help you relax and let the stress of your day melt away.

Lots of people are looking for a nice chair to help relieve their back pain. If this sounds like you, then you’ll want to try out the BONZY Roll Arm Push Back Recliner, which features extra lumbar support. This extra cushioning makes it very easy to get the relief you need to be free from lower back pain.

If you consider yourself to be a fashion forward individual, then you might want to check out the GDF Studio 300594 Macedonia Recliner. It is designed to fit in modern and retro homes and is sure to be a centerpiece of any well-designed living room.

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